Lapland on your doorstep
It’s got to be the ultimate festive getaway – a trip to Father Christmas’s home.
And despite the passports and currency exchange, arrival and departure was very straightforward with LaplandUK set in the Kent countryside.
I left home with a slightly cynical 10-year-old, an interested eight-year-old and a giddy five year old – luckily there was something for all.
It may have been an unseasonably warm November but LaplandUK was reassuringly hidden under a light sprinkling of snow. Only an hour and a half from London, the white stuff not only put us in the festive mood but it’s what the resident huskies and reindeer have come to expect.
The scene was magical.
We converted our spending money from sterling to ‘Elf Jingles’ which were thankfully two to the pound making you feel you were getting more for your money, before starting our journey.
First stop was helping the elves make Christmas presents before icing gingerbread decorations with the unusually conspicuous Mother Christmas.
Then we had free time to enjoy the ice rink. We had such a laugh with my eight-year-old resembling Bambi on ice but had to eventually slip off before we caused ourselves further injury – pride or otherwise.
The village square offered the lot with sweets, snacks, hot drinks, shops and even a post office and bank.
And the huskies, helpers and mischievous elves were on hand offering atmosphere, advice and entertainment whenever you needed it.
The finale was a mystery tour through the snow-covered trees following a myriad of paths deep into the forest.
A very gentle and sincere bearded gentleman welcomed us dressed in red robes and with an intricate knowledge of my children’s likes and dislikes.
He even took his time finding their names on the ‘Good’ list with me secretly hoping he’d say their behaviour had not been good enough.
But it is the season of goodwill and he is, after all, Father Christmas.
They were delighted to leave with a cuddly husky dog each and a lasting memory.
The only question troubling my five-year-old having met him in the flesh, is how Santa will fit down our chimney.
Tickets for LaplandUK, which is open from now until Christmas Eve, range from £44.50 to £62.50 and can be booked at www.laplanduk.co.uk
By Diane Evans
Diane
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